According to a report by Football London on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Burgess highlighted several factors that could contribute to recurring soft-tissue injuries, including excessive playing time, previous injury problems and the increasing intensity of professional football.

The former Arsenal official stressed that young footballers competing regularly at the highest level need proper workload management to protect their physical condition and minimise the risk of injuries.

Saka suffered his latest setback during Arsenal's UEFA Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, forcing him to leave the pitch and raising fresh concerns about his availability for upcoming fixtures.

The 25-year-old England international has already made more than 320 appearances for Arsenal since breaking into the first team, prompting questions about the physical demands placed on him through his regular involvement for both club and country.

Burgess, who previously worked at Arsenal during the managerial tenures of Arsène Wenger and Unai Emery, explained that decisions about whether an injured player should feature in a match generally involve discussions between the manager and the footballer.

"Ultimately, the manager decides with the player,"Burgess explained.

He further noted that medical and performance staff have a responsibility to advise against selecting a player if they believe there is a significant risk of aggravating an existing injury. However, the final decision may still involve an agreement between the manager and the player regarding their readiness to participate.

Burgess also highlighted the importance of effective communication and trust between managers, medical professionals and performance departments when evaluating players' fitness and determining the appropriate time for their return to action.

Speaking specifically about Saka's situation, the former Arsenal director expressed particular concern about young footballers whose playing styles rely heavily on speed, strength and explosive movements.

He referenced former England internationals Raheem Sterling and Cesc Fàbregas while discussing how talented young players can be exposed to demanding schedules and heavy workloads early in their professional careers.

Burgess warned that the situation could become particularly dangerous when young footballers are not properly managed, especially in the Premier League, where the intensity of competition is extremely high.

"So I have a great fear for the young players of the game now if they're thrown in and mismanaged, particularly when they're playing in the Premier League, of which the intensity is just through the roof, he said.

Although Burgess admitted that he was unfamiliar with the exact circumstances surrounding Saka's latest injury, he maintained that footballers who depend on explosive movements and high-intensity performances require careful monitoring of their workloads.

He also suggested that Saka's problem could have been developing before the Bayern Munich encounter, meaning the match itself may not necessarily have been responsible for the injury.

His comments have renewed discussions about the physical demands placed on Arsenal's key players and the importance of managing Saka's fitness carefully to prevent further setbacks during the season.